Add a motion path animation effect

You can apply motion path animation effects to move slide objects in a sequence that tells an effective story.

For example, the plane on the right (below) shows the starting point of the plane, and the dotted line between the two planes shows the path it will take when the animation plays. The transparent image on the left is where the plane will end up when the motion path animation is done.

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WindowsmacOSmacOS 2011

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Microsoft 365 subscribers have an easier option for motion-based animation: Morph

Add a motion path to an object

1. Click the object you want to animate.

2. On the Animations tab, click Add Animation.

   

3. Scroll down to Motion Paths, and pick one.

   

   Tip:   If you choose the Custom path option, you will draw the path that you want the object to take.

   

   To stop drawing a custom path, press Esc.

Advanced motion path options

1. If you don't see a motion path that you want, at the bottom of the gallery, click More Motion Paths.

   

   Click an animation to see a preview of how the object will move on your slide.

   

2. Once you pick the motion path you want, click OK.

   To remove and animation, on the slide, click the motion path (dotted line with arrow), and then press Delete.

   

Editing motion paths

1. To do things like change the direction of the motion path, edit the individual points of the motion path, or to lock (make it so others can't change the animation) or unlock the animation, click Effect Options.

   

2. To preview the motion path, click the object on the slide, and then click Animations > Preview.

   Tip:    Preview is located on the Animations tab, just below the File tab on the far left.

   

Using predefined paths

In most cases, using one of the basic path animations is a perfect choice for adding interest to your slide. In the following example, we'll apply a Turn path animation to a graphic, use Effect Options to change the direction of the path, and then we'll use Reverse Path Direction to get the final look we want.

Example: applying a predefined path animation to a graphic

1. On a blank slide, click Insert > Shapes > Rectangle (or another shape if you prefer), and then click in the upper-left corner of the slide to insert it.

2. With the rectangle still selected, click Animations > Path Animation, and then under Basic, click Turn.

   

3. After the animation preview is finished and click Effect Options on the Animations tab, and then click Down Right.

4. Move your cursor over the animation end-point until it changes to a double arrow with a line through it, and then click and drag to the lower-right corner of the slide.

   

5. Finally, click Effect Options > Reverse Path Direction.

   

   The animation now moves the graphic from the least visible place on the slide (lower right) to the most visible (upper left).

Using custom paths

To draw a custom path animation, select the object you want to animate and click Animations > Path Animations, and then select an option under Custom. The drawing method is different depending on the type of path you choose.

If you selected a Curve or Freeform path:

1. Click the start point, and then click each time you want to begin a change of direction.

2. Double-click to finish.

If you selected a Line or Scribble path:

• Click and hold the mouse button to trace the shape you want, and then release the button when you're done.

To change a custom path once you've drawn it:

• Control+click or right-click the custom path and click Edit Points.

  

  Tip: If you've never worked with editing paths in a graphics program before, you may find it easier to delete the effect and draw it again.

Apply a motion path to an object or text

1. Select the text or object that you want to apply an animation effect to.

2. On the Animations tab, under Motion, click Paths, and then under Basic or Complex, click the type of motion path that you want.

   

   Tips: 

   • The arrows that show the motion path when you are editing the animation are not visible to your audience during the slide show.

   • To preview all animation effects on the slide, on the Animations tab, under Preview, click Play.

Draw a custom motion path

1. Select the text or object that you want to apply an animation effect to.

2. On the Animations tab, under Motion, click Paths, and then click Draw Curve, Draw Freeform, Draw Line, or Draw Scribble.

   

3. To draw the motion path that you selected, do one the following:

To	Do this
Draw a curve	Click the position on the slide where you want to start the path, and then move the pointer along a line. Click wherever you want a curve apex in the path. Double-click at any point to stop drawing the path.
Draw a freeform path that includes straight lines	Click the position on the slide where you want to start the path, move the pointer in a direction to draw a straight line, and then click at any point that you want to create a corner. Or, click and then hold down the mouse as your move the mouse in any direction to draw a path that appears hand-drawn. Click wherever you want to change between these drawing methods. Double-click at any point to stop drawing the path.
Draw a line	Click the position on the slide where you want to start the path, hold down the mouse button, and then drag the pointer in a direction to draw a straight line. Release the mouse button to stop drawing the path.
Draw a path that appears hand-drawn, or scribbled	Click the position on the slide where you want to start the path, hold down the mouse button, and then drag the pointer in any direction. Release the mouse button to stop drawing the path.

Tips: 

• If you want the curve or freeform path to finish where it started (referred to as "closing" the path), click the starting point of the path to stop drawing the path, instead of double-clicking or releasing the mouse button.

• To preview all animation effects on the slide, on the Animations tab, under Preview, click Play.

Adjust the path of the animation

1. In the navigation pane, select the slide that contains the animation effect that you want to change, and then click the Animation tab.

   How to select slides in the navigation pane

   1. On the View menu, click Normal.

   2. In the top of the navigation pane, click the Slides   tab, and then click a slide. Depending on the width of the navigation pane, you will either see the and  named tabs or the Slides  and Outline  icon tabs.

2. On the slide, select the animation effect that you want to change.

   Tips: 

   • Each animation effect is represented on the slide by a number   next to the object, which indicates the order that it will play in.  If two animation effects are set to play at the same time, they are represented by a numbered stack  .

   • To select an animation effect that is in a numbered stack   , you must view the full list of animation effects on the slide. On the Animations tab, under Animation Options, click Reorder, and then click the animation that you want.

3. On the Animations tab, under Animation Options, click Effect Options, and then click Edit Points.

   

4. Drag an edit point on the path animation to adjust the shape.

   Tip: To preview all animation effects on the slide, on the Animations tab, under Preview, click Play.

Reverse the direction of the motion path

1. In the navigation pane, select the slide that contains the animation effect that you want to change, and then click the Animation tab.

   How to select slides in the navigation pane

   1. On the View menu, click Normal.

   2. In the top of the navigation pane, click the Slides   tab, and then click a slide. Depending on the width of the navigation pane, you will either see the and  named tabs or the Slides  and Outline  icon tabs.

2. On the slide, select the animation effect that you want to change.

   Tips: 

   • Each animation effect is represented on the slide by a number   next to the object, which indicates the order that it will play in.  If two animation effects are set to play at the same time, they are represented by a numbered stack  .

   • To select an animation effect that is in a numbered stack   , you must view the full list of animation effects on the slide. On the Animations tab, under Animation Options, click Reorder, and then click the animation that you want.

3. On the Animations tab, under Animation Options, click Effect Options, and then click Reverse Path Direction.

   

   Tip: To preview all animation effects on the slide, on the Animations tab, under Preview, click Play.

Close or open the path

A motion path is "closed" if the path ends where it started. A motion path is "open" if it ends in a different location than where it started.

1. In the navigation pane, select the slide that contains the animation effect that you want to change, and then click the Animation tab.

   How to select slides in the navigation pane

   1. On the View menu, click Normal.

   2. In the top of the navigation pane, click the Slides   tab, and then click a slide. Depending on the width of the navigation pane, you will either see the and  named tabs or the Slides  and Outline  icon tabs.

2. On the slide, select the animation effect that you want to change.

   Tips: 

   • Each animation effect is represented on the slide by a number   next to the object, which indicates the order that it will play in.  If two animation effects are set to play at the same time, they are represented by a numbered stack  .

   • To select an animation effect that is in a numbered stack   , you must view the full list of animation effects on the slide. On the Animations tab, under Animation Options, click Reorder, and then click the animation that you want.

3. Do any of the following:

To	Do this
Open a closed path	Hold down CONTROL , click the motion path on the slide, and then on the shortcut menu, click Open Curve.
Close an open path	Hold down CONTROL , click the motion path on the slide, and then on the shortcut menu, click Close Curve.

To preview all animation effects on the slide, on the Animations tab, under Preview, click Play.

Move the motion path on the slide

1. In the navigation pane, select the slide that contains the animation effect that you want to change, and then click the Animation tab.

   How to select slides in the navigation pane

   1. On the View menu, click Normal.

   2. In the top of the navigation pane, click the Slides   tab, and then click a slide. Depending on the width of the navigation pane, you will either see the and  named tabs or the Slides  and Outline  icon tabs.

2. On the slide, select the animation effect that you want to change.

   Tips: 

   • Each animation effect is represented on the slide by a number   next to the object, which indicates the order that it will play in.  If two animation effects are set to play at the same time, they are represented by a numbered stack  .

   • To select an animation effect that is in a numbered stack   , you must view the full list of animation effects on the slide. On the Animations tab, under Animation Options, click Reorder, and then click the animation that you want.

3. Rest the pointer over the motion path until it becomes a , and then drag the motion path to the new location.

   To preview all animation effects on the slide, on the Animations tab, under Preview, click Play.